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Nebraska, ranked second by both major polls, opened defense of its national title with a 64-21 win at Oklahoma State in a nationally televised Thursday night game.

The Huskers held a 6-0 advantage after the first quarter, then exploded for 30 second-quarter points to take a 36-7 lead into intermission.

The second-quarter outburst was led by junior I-back Lawrence Phillips, who scored on runs of 80 and 27 yards in the period. Phillips finished the game with 153 yards on just 12 carries and scored three touchdowns.

Quarterback Tommie Frazier flashed midseason form, connecting on six of 10 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 64 yards and another score. The Husker offense piled up huge numbers, gaining 514 yards rushing and 671 in total offense, with the 64 points scored the most in the series against Oklahoma State.

The Blackshirt defense, meanwhile, looked strong holding the Cowboys to just one yard of total offense in the first quarter and to less than 300 yards, despite wholesale substitutions late in the contest.

Jon Hesse led the Husker defense with nine stops, while junior college transfer Terrell Farley returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown in his first game at Nebraska.

The victory continued Nebraska’s amazing domination of Oklahoma State. The Huskers have not lost to an OSU team since 1961, a remarkable 34-game unbeaten string.

It was Nebraska’s 10th straight victory in a season opener and 21st consecutive victory in a conference opener and 17th straight Big Eight win overall. It also marked the first time Nebraska opened the season with a victory on a opponent’s field since a 1967 win at Washington.